Three main rivals meet in Sweden’s tight election race – Latest News – The Nation
STOCKHOLM – Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, opposition leader of the conservative Moderates Ulf Kristersson and far-right leader Jimmie Åkesson meet the three main candidates in Sunday’s parliamentary election.
Andersson came to power in November 2021 with the aim of breathing new life into the Social Democrats and ended up leading the nation’s historic NATO membership application.
Sweden’s first female prime minister despite the country’s reputation as one of the most feminist in the world, the 55-year-old replaced Stefan Lofven after he retired from politics. The former swimming champion served as finance minister for seven years and was nicknamed “The Bulldozer” for his blunt manner, which can rub something the wrong way in a country deeply attached to consensus.
Initially hesitant to join NATO, Andersson decided weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, convincing her party to abandon its longstanding opposition after two centuries of Swedish military non-alignment.
– She has managed to maintain, and even strengthen, the party’s position and voter support, says political scientist Ulf Bjereld.
Often dressed in navy blue suits with his straight blonde hair tucked behind his ears, Andersson has campaigned with the slogan “Sweden can do better”.
She has promised to defend the Swedes’ cherished welfare state and pushed the party’s stricter approach to immigration. “Integration has failed,” she said in April after immigrant youths clashed with police. On the international stage, her most difficult task has been negotiating with Turkey.
Ankara has threatened to block Sweden’s NATO application and accuses Stockholm of harboring Kurdish “terrorists”.